Mail Voting Has A Solid Track Record, No Partisan Advantage

While online voting is rife with security and other concerns, voting-by-mail is already a "tried-and-true" process in several states. Oregon, Washington, Hawaii, Utah and Colorado have employed so-called "universal" vote-by-mail systems for years—which have operated smoothly and increased turnout. And, most studies—academic and otherwise—indicate that there is no definitive partisan advantage in vote-by-mail elections. In some cases, Democrats show a slight advantage over expected outcomes; in others, Republicans gain. For example, making voting "easier" can boost turnout among older voters—traditionally a Republican stronghold. On the flip side, minority voters show turnout gains in mail elections as well—traditionally a key Democratic strength. While there are still some concerns (security-based and otherwise), the evidence points to vote-by-mail systems that work.

With the COVID-19 pandemic likely to still be an issue in November, more and more states are considering a mail voting option—if not outright universal mail voting. Twenty-nine states already offer some form of mail voting option—where voters need to request a mail ballot (some without the need for an "excuse", others requiring an "excuse"). There is a question of whether states can adopt a functioning mail voting system in the short four months before Election Day, but it shouldn't be too much of a reach for states that already have some sort of mail-based infrastructure in place.

In a recent election, only 6% of Colorado voters actually trekked to a polling station to cast their vote—despite herculean efforts to sanitize the sites. Recent experiences with long lines in other states—coupled with concerns over safety—will likely significantly reduce in-person voting in November as well. It seems to make sense for states to have mail-voting options ready to go, to help insure a result that all Americans can have faith in.